Oregon’s best high school boys basketball players: Meet the top stars in the 5A Intermountain Conference
We’re taking a conference-by-conference look at some of the state’s top high school basketball players. Here’s the Intermountain Conference boys list.
Every league has numerous standout players, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive. Let us know which other players you think should be added to the list.
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Crook County
F Ozzie Reed, Sr., 6-2
Reed is one of two returners from last season’s district champions.
F Trent West, Sr., 6-3
West transferred in the fall from Yreka, Calif., where he averaged nearly double-digits as a sophomore for the Miners.
G Logan Matthews, So.
Matthews is one of several JV and freshman players from last season who moved up this winter to fill the many holes left by graduation.
Hood River Valley
G Emanuel Romero, Sr., 5-9
Romero led the Eagles in scoring (18 points per game), assists (5.5) and steals (3.8) at midseason, hitting 41.5 percent from three-point range.
F Ryles Buckley, Sr., 6-1
The team’s leading rebounder (7.8 per game) has also had a 20-point game this winter, averaging 10.3 points. Coach Chris Dirks praises his athleticism and defense (2.2 steals per game).
W Tommy Ziegler, Sr., 5-9
The Eagles’ top three-point threat had an early game with five threes, hitting at a 32.7% clip while averaging 10.5 points per game. He's also a scrappy defender who crashes the boards.
W Clayton Cook, Sr., 6-0
Cook (9.8 points per game) has a season high of 18 points and can score at all three levels, hitting 65% from two-point range.
G Geoffrey Shoaf, Sr., 5-10
Dirks said this versatile player “is starting to hit his stride from outside and is vocal on the court defensively.”
Pendleton
G Greyson Sams, Sr., 6-0
Sams has been the focal point of the Buckaroos’ attack, averaging 22.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. Coach Zach Dong calls him “a complete player with no holes in his game.”
G Andy Oja, Sr., 6-3
Oja is healthy this winter after missing most of his junior season with an injury. He’s averaged 11.3 points and 3.4 rebounds. “With his length, size and athleticism, he is a matchup problem,” Dong said. “He can get to the rim, create havoc in the lane, and really spread the floor with his ability to shoot.”
G Gauge Rueber, Jr., 5-10
Reuber made the jump to the varsity in the spring and has been a solid contributor this winter with 7.9 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. “Gauge has a good feel for the game and uses his craftiness to get to the rim despite his size,” Dong said.
Redmond
W Garrett Osborne, Sr., 6-3
The Oregon Tech commit scored a career-high 30 points on his birthday in a win over Bend on Dec. 28 and is averaging 22 points and six rebounds. “He plays above the rim and is a lockdown defender,” said coach Reagan Gilbertson.
P Evan Otten, Jr., 6-8
Otten has been a big-time force in the paint for the Panthers, averaging 11 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.
W Nate Wachs, Jr., 6-3
Wachs has been an all-around contributor for the Panthers, leading them in assists with five per game while also averaging eight points and five rebounds.
Ridgeview
W Ryan Asplund, Sr., 6-0
Asplund has made an impact on both ends of the court, leading the team in scoring (15 points per game) and steals (five per game), with three seven-steal games in December. He’s also grabbed five rebounds and dished out 3.5 assists per game. “He is our most consistent and impactful player,” coach Jake Miller said. “He creates so much offense through defense, not only for himself but for other players.”
G Nathan Benz, Sr., 5-10
Miller called Benz “the heartbeat and identity of our team,” a team captain and its best individual defender who also averages five steals per game to go with four points, three rebounds and three assists.
F Jeremiah Schwartz, Jr., 6-2
Schwartz (nine points, six rebounds) provides an inside presence for the Ravens. “His speed and athleticism allow him to play significantly bigger than he is on both ends of the floor,” Miller said.
W Colten Chastain, Jr., 6-1
Chastain has had a breakthrough season for the Ravens, averaging eight points while hitting 44.7% from three-point range. “We’ve known for a while that he is the best three-point shooter in our program, and he has done a great job figuring out how to fill that role on our team,” Miller said.
The Dalles
G Styles Deleon, Jr., 5-11
Deleon has starred for the Riverhawks since moving into the starting lineup midway through his freshman season. He leads the team in scoring (16 points per game), steals (four per game) and assists (three). “A very dynamic and super-athletic player,” coach Greg Cummings said.
G Jaxon Pullen, Sr., 5-11
Pullen is a three-year starter and co-captain who’s averaging 11 points per game. “Our leader on and off the floor,” Cummings said.
F Andre Niko, So., 6-3
Niko has started since Day 1 as a freshman and leads the Riverhawks in rebounding (seven per game) to go with 10 points per game. “One of the best kids on and off the court I’ve ever coached,” Cummings said. “A very athletic big man who can run the floor and finish strong at the rim.”
G Henry Begay, So., 6-0
Begay transferred from Dufur over the summer and brings a complete game to the Riverhawks attack, averaging 12 points, four rebounds and three assists at point guard. “A very tough kid who can defend almost anybody on the floor,” Cummings said.
